Rumour had reached her that there were more familiar faces in the Edge now than she knew. Parelia and Aaron had come back, to her lasting delight, and she had heard through the grapevine that Dragomir and Ranjiri were here now too - with their daughter. She did not know Ranjiri well, though hoped she would get the chance to get to know her better, but Dragomir back in the Edge? That was something she absolutely needed to see for herself. Her invitation to him to come back if he ever wished had, of course, been completely genuine and open.

And he had come!!

She had been keeping an eye out for him over the last couple days but their paths just didn’t seem to cross at all, so now Alysanne was actively looking for him and Hemlock was helping - the small owl looping through the trees in the pale dawn light and keeping his dark eyes open for the bay and white stallion.

Between the two of them, it shouldn’t take too long to determine whether Dragomir was in the Edge this morning. If not, there were other things they could move on to, but this was something Alysanne was hopeful for. A reunion would be an excellent start to the day.

It didn’t take Hemlock very long to find Dragomir - relief and joy flooding through Alysanne. She paused in her own wandering so that she could wait for them both to find her. Once Hemlock spotted Alysanne he flew off in his own direction, leaving them to their reunion. He was happy to help Alysanne, sure, but he was eager to find a cozy spot for his morning nap after staying up hunting all night.

Alysanne smiled brightly when she heard the stallion’s whinny and turned to see him trotting to her side. She slowed her own pace but kept walking so they could meander through the forest of their home together. An embarrassed but good-natured laugh escaped Alysanne at the unfamiliarity of Dragomir greeting her as queen. She didn’t think she would ever get used to hearing anyone address her as such - though it was a little less daunting than the first time she had heard it. “Oh please, just Aly - like before.”

Her smile grew easier when he continued to speak. “As was I, my friend. I’m glad it didn’t take too long. Are you settling back in alright?” She wondered if it was strange to come back after so long. So much had changed since the last time Dragomir had called these woods home - Alysanne had seen it all happen first hand but it was still strange to her to think back.

Dragomir’s response to her question was satisfactory - she would hardly blame him for finding it a little strange to be back. Her smile grew soft, wistful even, at the mention of dragons in the mist.

Somedays, it felt like just yesterday when they had all been here - others it felt like a lifetime ago.

“I still expect them to all be here somewhere.” Aly confessed quietly in response to his statement - wishing she had seen the dragons as well. They’d bring her comfort - maybe. She liked to think they would bring her comfort, at least, or maybe they would just remind her of how far she has fallen. At least here, with a face that she knew from the past, she didn’t feel too out of place. Could Dragomir spot the ways she had changed? Or were they distant enough of friends that she was just the same mare she had always been?

She hoped it was the latter.

“Sometimes I think I’ll find Kahlua and Resplendence napping together in their spots in the forest, or see Mirage heading to call us all into a meeting.” She never got to know the Dragonheart well, but she had still been the Queen when Alysanne had first started. Her distant gaze focused once more on the friend in her company, drawing away from the ghosts of the past. “And you, crafting items. But I’m glad that you’re here in flesh and blood now, not just as a ghost in my memory. And!” She recalled his comment about how the girls seemed to be liking it here as well and her smile brightened. “With a new family too! Congratulations. I’m glad they’re liking it as well.”